Don’t Miss the Boom in Online Reservation and Distribution Systems

to Increase Your Sales, Profits and Arrivals

By Tim Warren

Did you know that 195 million online leisure & travel shoppers visited a travel website in 2006?   It’s a fact. Over 85% of travel consumers are researching their next travel vacation option online, and now over 50% are booking too with online travel reservation & distribution (R&D) systems.

A good travel reservation & distribution system will increase your sales and save you time because prospects can see your inventory, make reservations and payments online in real-time. Then your inventory is adjusted instantly so all vendors and suppliers know exactly what can be sold at all times. No matter if you are a small tour operator, medium sized resort, or promoting an entire destination, there are systems for you.
 

Travel Reservation & Distribution Systems: Easy to Learn

Travel reservation & distribution systems are easy to navigate, operate and can have a low set up cost. If you are able to send email and search on Google, you will easily be able to operate them. Many travel reservation & distribution systems providers will alleviate the cost and frustration of database and online store maintenance by maintaining the database, all affiliated payment and reporting features for you.

Reservation and Distribution System: Key Elements

Travel reservation & distribution systems range from computer desktop to web-based property management software with real time reservation and worldwide marketing via Global Distribution System (GDS). The better systems combine property and GDS management in a single product, which can help your properties or destination compete. Your customers can make reservations online and you tap into popular consumer travel websites plus access Sabre used by over 800,000 travel agents.

5 Benefits for Tour Operators & Tourism Product Suppliers

1.    Processes transactions online through a shared master merchant account which save on online merchant start up fees and monthly fees.

2.    Provides booking, inventory control, sales, customer analysis and banking reports.

3.    Offer a “hot seat” feature: Advertise products at a discounted price and sell those last minute empty seats.

4.    Gives the end user the ability to search and compare and buy from multiple operators in one place – a place that is easy and convenient.

5.    Real-time inventory booking system allows multiple distributors to sell your product without the hassle of time-consuming callbacks and double booking.

Chambers of Commerce and Tourism Associations Solutions

Destination marketing organizations can sell more because they can showcase all regional tours, lodging and attractions all from one place in what is called a “portal” website. This helps visitors, which leads to increased arrivals, longer stays and higher expenditures.
 
Benefits include:

•    Package your local and regional product. Program your portal to show only your regionally specific              member’s tourism products.

•    Receive equal exposure with other, larger tourism centers.

•    Trip planning and packaging is easy with itinerary building functions.

•    List events and even sell ticketsCreate an instant tourism infrastructure within your own region.

•    You can deliver added value by selling your members products through your website.

•    Serve your membership better and create a potential revenue stream.

New Revenue Stream for Your Current Website

Does your website book tours of many different travel suppliers that pays you a commission? An R&D system can serve your membership and create a revenue stream for yourself with NO major change to your existing site.

Get Started with Free Trials

Both systems offer great support and a free trial. Be sure to put TIMWAR in free trial form or mention Tim Warren and you’ll save up to $400 off any R&D products with your purchase!

•    The booking Center: specializes in small to medium sized properties and portal sites for regional destinations.

•    Adventure Engine: specializes in tour operators and regional portal sites with an active travel theme.

Authors Credit:

Tim Warren is the host of the Travel & Hospitality Industry award winning online radio training show; Travel Business Success.com Radio Podcast and author of Tourism Marketing Success. To sign up for the Free October 24th tele-seminar on Reservation and Distribution Systems, to hear Tim's online radio training podcast or get his free business and marketing mini-course, Tourism Business Success (TBS) go to http://www.TravelBusinessSuccess.com or call 800-707-7570 for personal consulting and coaching.

 

If you have articles, tips and advice for the B2B travel and Hospitality industry, Please submit your articles to Tim Warren

adventure engine, booking center, destination marketing, distribution systems, online reservations